CDC: Solve the Outbreak

Play disease detective.

Published on Feb 28, 2013

Editor's Pick

Fans of movies like Contagion and shows such as The Walking Dead might be intrigued by this new iPad app from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Users of Solve The Outbreak get to navigate three fictional disease outbreaks based on real-life events (for example, a five-year-old's "Birthday Party Gone Bad") They assume the role of a disease outbreak investigator in the agency's Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). They get clues, review data, and make decisions to determine the cause of the outbreak, sharing their results on social media.

"The goal is to use new technology to provide an engaging, interactive way for users to learn how CDC solves outbreaks, thereby increasing general knowledge about real-life public health issues" said CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden in a statement.